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As the 2020 HURT 100 approached, things felt … ominous. The annual Honolulu event is typically set in paradise, but this year’s recent weather in paradise has been less than ideal. On January 12, organizers for the race posted a warning:

“Recent high winds and heavy rains may result in poor trail
conditions. While we are hopeful that conditions will improve leading up to the
event, January weather on O’ahu is very unpredictable … Currently, the HURT
course is mired in water, mud, and fallen trees.”

Not exactly music to a runner’s ears. But ultimately, the
course was cleared (mostly), the weather cooperated, and the 20+ year-old
iconic ultramarathon once again did not disappoint.

The big winner was Trevor Fuchs, who finished muddied and
exhausted, but with a big smile on his face. The Ogden, Utah native ran his 100
miles in a time of 22:04:49, more than a half hour ahead of his closest
competitor.

“When I first started running, I would have never guessed the places it would take me,” Fuchs wrote on his Instagram a few days before the race, looking forward to a big 2020 that has since started out on the best foot imaginable. “I would have never guessed the friendships I would make or the community that would become such a vital part of my life. I would have never guessed the opportunities that running would present. I am so incredibly grateful, honored, and stoked beyond measure to share that I have joined the @salomonrunning U.S. team. This coming year will have no shortage of adventure with Hardrock and UTMB in the summer. But in a few days, I get to start this thing off with a bang in Hawaii at the HURT 100 as a Salomon athlete.”

Featuring nearly 25,000 feet of vertical ascent, completing
this race in the rainforests of Honolulu is anything but a given. Named for the
Hawaii Ultra Running Team (HURT), a group of eccentric athletes who trained
together on Maui’s jungle-covered mountains, the race was invented when they
got sick of traveling all the way to the mainland to find competition. Known
for its roots-heavy trails and humid temperatures, it has grown into one of the
most beloved 100-milers in the ultra-running community.

On the women’s side, local favorite Anna Albrecht led the
pack. The Honolulu native finished 15th overall, with a time of 28:55:50. She
also finished more than 3 hours ahead of the second-place women’s participant.

About a week before her run, Albrecht posted a picture of
herself kissing the famous sign that serves as a ritual for those who finish
the HURT. “I’m so excited and nervous for this journey. It’s been the CRAZIEST
ride since my name was drawn in August,” she wrote on Instagram. “This is going
to be the hardest race of my life but I’m so ready to go to battle with it. Bring
on the blisters, tears, sweaty cast, nerve pain, and bliss. Can’t wait to dance
in the jungle for a couple days with all my crazy friends.”

Dance, she did – and she danced well enough to lead the
pack. Here’s the women’s Top 10:

1. Anna Albrecht (Honolulu, Hawaii): 28:55:50

2. Denise Bourassa (Lakewood, Colorado): 32:03:50

3. Suzanna Bon (Sonoma, California): 32:19:46

4. Michiko Uchiyama (Shizuoka, Japan): 32:46:58

5. Chelsey Topping (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada): 33:01:15

6. Jody Sanborn (Banner, Wyoming): 33:24:17

7. Jessica Hardy (Dana Point, California): 33:39:01

8. Hannah Perry (Vancouver, Canada): 33:54:36

9. Candice Burt (Leavenworth, Washington): 33:56:46

10. Mayuko Floyd (San Diego, California): 34:39:10

Men’s Top Ten:

1. Trevor Fuchs (Ogden, Utah): 22:04:49

2. Nate Jaqua (Eugene, Oregon): 22:37:34

3. Brandon Stapanowich (Colorado Springs, CO): 23:28:07

4. Tomokazu Ihara (Takao, Japan): 23:57:20

5. Takeshi Noda (Yokohama, Japan): 24:54:38

6. Daniel List (Santa Maria, California): 26:01:05

7. Will Jones IV (Bellingham, Washington): 26:24:47

8. Tim McDononough (St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada): 26:48:05

9. Shin Iwatare (Suginami, Japan): 27:05:43

10. Sergio Florian (Kaaawa, Hawaii): 27:07:26

Contrasted with the final results, the halfway leaders show
that Fuchs, Stapanowich, Jaqua and Ihara were in the driver’s seat for pretty
much the entirety of the HURT 100. Also worth noting is the return of Tracy
Garneau, who set the course record in 2010. Now 50 years old, Garneau
unfortunately was unable to finish.